Method and system for blocking installation of some processes

Abstract

A method includes providing a processor comprising memory for storing of blacklist data therein and memory for storing of programming data therein for execution on the processor. Version data indicative of a version of first programming data is retrieved from memory external to the processor. The version data is compared with blacklist data stored within the processor. When the blacklist data is indicative of the version data indicating a version of the programming data that is blacklisted, then the processor other than executes the first programming data.

1 . A method comprising:
 providing a processor comprising memory for storing of blacklist data therein and memory for storing of programming data therein for execution on the processor;   retrieving, from memory external to the processor, version data indicative of a version of first programming data;   comparing the version data with blacklist data stored within the processor; and,   when the blacklist data is indicative of the version data indicating a version of the programming data that is blacklisted, other than executing the first programming data by the processor.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising:
 when the blacklist data is indicative of the version data indicating a version of the first programming data that is blacklisted, other than storing the first programming data within the memory for execution.   
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein retrieving comprises:
 retrieving from the memory external to the processor the first programming data, the first programming data comprising the version data.   
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising:
 starting the processor;   retrieving, from the memory, start-up programming code to execute on the processor; and   executing the start-up programming code on the processor, the start-up programming code for retrieving the version data of the first programming data.   
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 4  wherein the start-up programming code is stored within memory integral to the processor. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein, the blacklist data stored within the processor comprises a list of blacklisted versions of the first programming data. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein, the blacklist data stored within the processor comprises an indication of one of a last blacklisted version of the first programming data and a first non-blacklisted version of the first programming data, versions of the first programming data previous to the first non blacklisted version all being blacklisted. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the blacklist data stored within the processor is modified each time first programming data is successfully retrieved and executed. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 8  wherein the blacklist data stored within the processor comprises version data relating to programming stored within the processor. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9  wherein version data indicating a version previous to the blacklist data is indicative of a blacklisted version of first programming data. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the processor is absent sufficient internal non-volatile memory for storing of the first programming data in ROM thereof. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the blacklist data stored within the processor is stored in non-volatile memory integrated within the processor. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein upon initialization, the processor retrieves programming data from memory external thereto and other than stores thereon first programming data for execution subsequent to an initialization operation. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the blacklist data stored within the processor is modified by another process employing secure communication with a provider of blacklist data. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 1  comprising:
 retrieving from a server external to the processor blacklist data, the blacklist data retrieved securely; and,   storing the blacklist data within non-volatile memory of the processor.   
   
   
       16 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor comprising non-volatile memory for storing of blacklist data therein and memory for storing of programming data therein for execution on the processor and for:   retrieving, from a memory external to the processor, version data indicative of a version of first programming data;   comparing the version data with the blacklist data; and   when the blacklist data is indicative of the version data indicating a version of the programming data that is blacklisted, other than executing the first programming data by the processor.   
   
   
       17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a processor comprising non-volatile memory for storing of blacklist data therein and memory for storing of programming data therein for execution on the processor and for:   retrieving, from a memory external to the processor, version data indicative of a version of first programming data;   comparing the version data with the blacklist data; and,   when the blacklist data is indicative of the version data indicating a version of the programming data that is blacklisted, other than storing the first programming data within the processor for execution thereon.